thyroidecdomy..how to choose a surgeon

[minbumthy]

For anyone out there who has had the surgery...I need to have a thyroidecdomy but my insurnace is very limited to who would be available to perform the surgery...there is only one doctor within my network and my local hospital who can perform the surgery....I understand that he perfroms the tyroidecdomies quite often but Iam leary that he is only and general surgeon and does not specialize in thyroid surgeries...I have not met with him so I may change my mind however I have heard that it is not wise to have anyone perform this surgery who is not very very qualified...meaning that they specialize in thyroid surgeries or perform only thyroid surgeries...what is the wisest decision in my case....should I shop around....if It is too exspensive I may have to  use this doctor...If I do what things should I be looking for or what kind of questions should I be asking

[Michelle_P]

I agree with what has already been said. Find someone experienced with this type of surgery. I started out seeing an endocronolgist and didn't like him. I'm having my surgery done by a surgical oncologist who specializes in thyroid surgery.

It's who you are most comfortable with that's important.

Good luck!
Michelle

[tm514]

All the advice I have seen given is to find a surgeon who does many thyroidectomies (a week or a month).  The more experienced the better the outcome.  

I don't think it matters if they are an E.N.T. specifically (mine wasn't - just a general surgeon who only does thyroids), but "F.A.C.S" following their "M.D." means they are a fellow with American College of Surgeons and have met stringent qualifications - not all surgeons have this qualification (and some who don't are certainly very qualified anyway).